Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020

Transcription

1 Legislative Report Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 January 2009 Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

2 Executive Committee Letter Dear Friends: The Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 held its first hearing on August 2, 2007, the day after the tragic 35W Bridge collapse. Guided by a belief that government ought not to wait before taking important actions to promote the public good, we chose not to postpone this previously scheduled meeting. Ironically, before the Commission finished its work in January 2009, another collapse occurred this time, in our nation s financial markets that made our antipoverty efforts more urgent. The Commission was spurred by a broad consensus among people in faith communities that the existence of poverty, and our acceptance of it, counters the most basic values of justice. The Common Foundation document that inspired the legislation creating the Commission asserts that all people are [to be] provided those things that protect human dignity and make for healthy life: adequate food and shelter, meaningful work, safe communities, health care, and education. In moving forward with our efforts, Commission members were inspired by the faith community s belief in human dignity and compassion for others, values that formed the basis of the Commission s work. The Current Economic Crisis While poverty was a serious problem when the Commission first met, it is an even greater problem now due to the economic crisis and the rapidly changing national and global economy. Until the current crisis, predatory market practices and home foreclosures appeared to some to be distant problems confined to low income communities. Now we see how these problems in the housing market point to weaknesses in financial systems that led to the unraveling of many aspects of our economy. Likewise, the number of working people using food shelves and homeless shelters before the markets collapsed points to the disturbing inability of current labor markets and wage rates to provide an income sufficient to provide for basic necessities of life. The economic crisis has increased the number of hungry and homeless people, but many were suffering before the crisis began. The Commission observed that many middle-class people fell into joblessness, bankruptcy, and even homelessness due to inadequate health care access, and others were trapped in poverty for the same reason. Similarly, even before the spike in fuel prices, the Commission heard how the inability to afford transportation affected everything the ability to get work, to get children to child care, to participate fully in community life. Rebuilding our Economy When the bridge collapsed, the state acted quickly. It was clear that our task was not to simply rebuild the bridge but to design a stronger, better bridge a bridge that would set new standards in terms of safety. 2

3 Minnesota must do the same in rebuilding our economy. We must build an economy that is stronger and meets the needs of all of people. We need an economy that restores work as a means out of poverty, that invests in developing occupational skills, and that values the potential of everyone. We must use all sectors of the economy business, the faith community, government, and nonprofits to address the flaws in the current economy and use the creativity and productivity of Minnesotans to ensure that all people can sustain their place in the community despite illness, age, disability or crisis. As we work to rebuild our economy we need to recognize that poverty is an indicator of whether we are succeeding. Poverty signals the weak points where our economic infrastructure will, like the 35W Bridge, eventually buckle. We urge Minnesota and our nation to respond to this economic crisis with the same urgency and long-term view with which we rebuilt the bridge. Steps We Can Take Now Although the report focuses on a twelve-year effort to end poverty, we believe the current economic crisis deserves urgent attention and would be alleviated by taking the following actions immediately: Create an emergency jobs program that uses wage subsidies to help businesses regain their footing and employ out-of-work Minnesotans; Use proposed federal infrastructure dollars to address unmet transportation needs that have isolated people and hampered economic growth, particularly in rural Minnesota where affordable transportation alternatives are needed; Respond rigorously to predatory market practices that drive up the prices of goods in some communities and crowd out sustainable practices of legitimate businesses; Develop a federal and state partnership to restore work as a means out of poverty: increasing and expanding income tax credits for low wage workers and fully funding child care assistance and early childhood education programs; Repair our broken health care system, with the recognition that we cannot end poverty or fix the economy without addressing the rapidly increasing costs of health care and the inability of the system to offer full access to medical care for every Minnesotan. Beyond the urgency of the immediate crisis, the rebuilding work must continue. The recommendations in this report form a blueprint for a stronger, more stable economy. All people contribute to the common good and we are a stronger, more prosperous state when we make use of those contributions. As the Commission traveled the state, we witnessed the confident, selfless ways in which Minnesotans are working to end poverty and heard their pleas that the state join their efforts. The current economic crisis, while daunting, sharpens our resolve to end poverty in Minnesota by We are confident Minnesotans are ready to work with us to end poverty and ensure the prosperity of our great state. The collapse of the 35W Bridge was a catalyst both for building something more enduring and thinking more deeply about how we invest in our infrastructure. The current financial crisis provides an opportunity to question our economy and financial practices and reshape them in a manner that does not leave many Minnesotans behind. We hope that the Commission s work will guide legislators and all Minnesotans as we strive for a better future for all. Sincerely, Rep. Carlos Mariani Rep. Morrie Lanning Sen. John Marty Sen. Claire Robling Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

5 Acknowledgements The Commission could not have functioned without the support of thousands of Minnesotans who were willing to volunteer their time or simply tell their story. While we would love to thank each individual and organization by name, we are sure that any list we attempted to create would almost certainly fail to mention someone we wanted to thank. However, we do feel compelled to specifically thank both the Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) and the NWAF s Strategies to Eliminate Poverty (STEP) initiative, based at The Seattle Foundation. Both of these organizations came forward to provide the Commission with additional funding for its work. Without the financial assistance of NWAF and STEP, the Commission would not have been able to fund important aspects of its research, including policy simulations on some of its key recommendations. In addition to the many nonprofit organizations, faith groups, community agencies, businesses and individual Minnesotans who assisted us in our work, we also want to acknowledge the legislators, legislative staff, and state employees who gave generously of their time in helping us conduct our research. Their contributions were invaluable. Staff members who assisted the Commission throughout its work are listed below: Commission and associated staff Gregory Gray, Commission Executive Director Andrea Lindgren, Research and Data Analyst Amy Brenengen, Director, Office on the Economic Status of Women Kara Zetzman, Legislative Assistant Celeste Marin, Legislative Assistant Laura Blubaugh, Committee Administrator, Health, Housing and Family Security Committee Christina Gosack, Committee Administrator, Education Policy Committee Danyell Lemire, Legislative Analyst Matt Gehring, House Research Nina Manzi, Legislative Analyst Lynn Aves, Legislative Analyst Joan White, Senate Counsel Nakiesha Mabrey, Legislative Assistant Mary Larson, Legislative Assistant The Commission and the State of Minnesota are very fortunate to have such a strong base of support to further our antipoverty efforts. We are not only hopeful but also confident that the enthusiasm generated by this Commission s work will expand further with this report, and that along with our partners in the faith, nonprofit, and business communities, as well as all concerned Minnesotans, we can, and will, end poverty in Minnesota. Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

6 Final Report of the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 Executive Summary Introduction The Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 began its work in June 2007 and finalized its recommendations in January The Commission s overall mission and vision are captured in both its name and its guiding principles, which were first articulated in the Minnesota faith community. The consensus in the faith community is that the existence of poverty, and our acceptance of it, counters the most basic values of justice. Even with the economy currently in recession, the Commission believes there is a strong case to be made for working towards ending poverty. Failing to address poverty will threaten the economic viability of the state, since it robs the state of needed resources. Working to end poverty also focuses our attention on what s important in our community and in our lives. And with over 482,000 Minnesotans living in poverty according to a 2007 survey, it is simply the right and compassionate thing to do. Research Focus The Commission s overall objective was to examine the nature of poverty in Minnesota and identify opportunities for addressing both short- and long-term poverty. To achieve these objectives, the Commission conducted in-depth research employing the following primary and secondary research methods: Four full hearings at the state capitol to discuss the issues and hear testimony from state experts, advocates, and others. Ten listening tours covering all major regions of the state to study poverty firsthand. Research to gather facts and statistics, interview experts, and explore best practices. Numerous meetings, including a full-day retreat in June 2008, to analyze findings and deliberate on possible solutions. This research included ongoing consultations with the Urban Institute, a leading public policy think tank located in Washington, D.C. Working with the Institute, the Commission identified policies to be tested for possible inclusion in the final recommendations. The Institute ran simulations applying these policies and using the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) poverty definition as a basis for the research. The full report includes detailed information on this work. 6

7 Key Challenges Identified in the Research The research revealed that while Minnesota continues to rank highly relative to other states on a number of indicators, including poverty rate, workforce participation, and college graduation rates, some key issues and barriers exist that are contributing to poverty in Minnesota. During its deliberations, the Commission identified six broad challenges: Challenge one If work is truly going to represent a way out of poverty, then the jobs available to Minnesotans, and the wages those jobs pay, must be adequate to move people toward financial self-sufficiency. In addition, those who want to work but who need additional support to do so must receive the assistance they need. Challenge two Public assistance programs must work to move people toward financial self-sufficiency. Too often wellintentioned programs end up having the opposite effect, especially when they lead to asset depletion as a condition for participation. In addition, better integration of programs and enhanced automation of services are needed. Challenge three To become fully self-sufficient financially, Minnesotans must be able to move beyond mere survival to the point where they are building and maintaining assets. That means that their already inadequate resources must not be further depleted through predatory financial practices. Greater financial literacy is needed to reduce vulnerability to such practices. Challenge four To function well and remain economically viable, Minnesota needs strong communities characterized by two broad elements: a strong physical infrastructure that includes affordable housing and transportation, and another, more personal infrastructure that allows individuals to support each other in a safe and healthful environment as they move towards financial independence. Challenge five One of the best ways to prevent and move out of poverty is through education starting in early childhood and extending throughout life. Although Minnesota is known for its excellence in education, there are disturbing trends continuing disparities in access and outcomes by race; and an urgent need to modernize our education system to address issues of global competition and technological shifts that are changing the nature of work. Challenge six Finally, our recommendations will not yield results unless we build and maintain a structure for monitoring our efforts. That structure needs to include tools and strategies for refining our definition of poverty; building public awareness about poverty; working to understand and share best practices; and carefully monitoring the impact legislation has on our antipoverty efforts. In addition to these challenges, the Commission recognizes other major issues that must be addressed persistent poverty by race and gender, and the growing health care crisis. The full report offers a special look at each of these areas. Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

8 Final Report of the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 Executive Summary The Commission s Recommendations In crafting its recommendations, the Commission had three primary objectives in mind to help Minnesotans become more financially self-sufficient; to build assets at both the individual and the community levels; and to eliminate barriers preventing those living in poverty from finding gainful employment and moving forward with their lives. Details of the recommendations are available in the full report. Below are six broad strategies for ending Poverty by 2020, with examples of recommendations the Commission has made under each strategy. Restore work as a way out of poverty. Increases to the minimum wage; expansion of tax credits for working families; childcare assistance for more working families; and tax incentives for businesses are included in this category. Refocus public assistance to streamline services and support everyone s capacity and potential. Integration and automation of public services; more uniform eligibility criteria for services; and increases in food support participation are included. Help Minnesotans build and maintain financial assets. Public assistance policies that encourage maintenance of assets; banning of predatory financial practices; restrictions on the use of personal credit information, and financial literacy education are included. Revitalize our communities through infrastructure and person-to-person support. Increased federal and state support for affordable housing; better access to transportation; support for caregivers; and community-based initiatives to help at-risk youth are included. Modernize our system of education to build the best workforce in the nation. Enhanced early childhood education; extension of technical education programs; and implementation of the Governor s Workforce Development Council initiatives are included. Develop an ongoing structure to monitor Minnesota s efforts to end poverty. Creation and implementation of a public awareness campaign and development of poverty impact statements to assess the likely effects of legislation on low-income Minnesotans are included. 8

9 Included with the recommendations are brief profiles of several organizations and programs doing work related to the Commission s recommendations. Featured programs include Search Institute s 40 Developmental Assets; the Itasca Project s Mind the Gap initiatives; Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM); Northern Connections; Minnesota Community Action Partnership s Circles of Support; Achievement Plus Schools; and the Department of Employment and Economic Development s Pathways to Employment program. Next Steps and Benchmarks Development of the recommendations is only one step in the process. To ensure that the Commission s recommendations are effectively communicated and monitored over the long term, everyone with an interest in these issues Commission members and staff; the Minnesota legislature; nonprofit and faith organizations; the business community; and concerned Minnesotans must do their part. In addition, if real progress is to be made, specific goals and benchmarks must be set. Overarching benchmarks identified by the Commission s Benchmark working group include: Reducing poverty rates among racial minority groups to the national average by 2012 Reducing poverty rates among children by half by 2014 Eliminating poverty by 2020 For additional information on strategies for communicating and monitoring the recommendations, as well as benchmarks identified for the six recommendation strategies identified above, please see the Next Steps section of the full report. Included are benchmarks relating to employment; poverty among people with disabilities; disparities in net worth; post-secondary education; and worker productivity. For more information on the Commission In June 2008, the Commission published its interim report. Highlights of that report are available in Appendix C of the full final report. Readers can also download a copy of the interim report on the Commission s website at The Commission s website also includes audio and video archives of hearings; background information and documents from the listening tours; and a selection of national and local resources on poverty. Also included on the site is an anthology created by community action agencies and their partners throughout the state, and a slide show created by first-year photography students at Central Lake College. For details, select the What s New? link on the site. Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

10 Introduction Welcome to the final report of the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by This report represents the culmination of nearly two years of study and collaboration between the Commission, the faith community, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and Minnesotans throughout the state. We hope you will find this report both informative and inspiring. In the report, you ll read not only about the Commission s work and recommendations, but also about organizations that are making a real difference in our state through their outreach and service to those in need. Ending poverty must be a collective effort, and these and other organizations in Minnesota show how it s done! Report Highlights Report Section The Case for Ending Poverty in Minnesota PAGE 11 The Roots of Poverty PAGE 16 What you ll find Three reasons we need to end poverty starting now Key elements that determine poverty Special Feature: The Urban Institute PAGE 20 Asking the Experts PAGE 22 Special Feature: Race, Gender and Poverty PAGE 24 Special Feature: The Critical Connection Between Health Care and Poverty PAGE 30 The Commission s work with a top public policy think tank What economists and other experts are saying about workforce trends now and going forward. A look at economic disparities by race and gender in Minnesota How our current health care crisis causes poverty, and why this crisis must be solved The Commission s Recommendations PAGE 32 Next Steps PAGE 55 Appendixes PAGE 58 Bibliography PAGE 68 Our recommendations for ending poverty in Minnesota by 2020 Ideas for implementing the recommendations About the Commission, Urban Institute policy findings, the Commission s interim report Recommended reading and sources cited 10 Learn more in the Commission s interim report In June 2008, the Commission published its interim report. That report, which includes background information on the Commission, detailed findings, and other reference materials, serves as a companion piece to this report. To learn more about the report and obtain a copy, please see Appendix C.

11 The Case for Ending Poverty in Minnesota In untold and unseen ways, poverty harms our nation economically, socially, and morally. Deep down, most Americans realize that widespread economic insecurity and poverty are fundamentally at odds with our most basic democratic values... from Catholic Charities 2006 Policy Paper Poverty in America: A Threat to the Common Good With the U.S. economy officially in a recession, some people question whether it is realistic to launch a major antipoverty effort, and how much of an impact such an effort can really make. But as the name of our commission makes clear, our purpose is not to think in the short term. Ending poverty means taking the long view, examining the root causes of poverty and seeking to end it, not just manage its symptoms. Of course, poverty is of special significance during an economic downturn, and there are compelling reasons to address it sooner rather than later. Ending poverty benefits all Minnesotans. Poverty has a negative effect on the economy. Failing to address poverty has diminished the economic viability of the state, with negative consequences for all Minnesotans. To allow poverty to continue is to rob our state of the talent, skills, and contributions our economy and communities need. It focuses our attention on important issues. Just as the collapse of the 35W bridge drew sharp attention to a crumbling physical infrastructure, the poverty we see around us, whether long term or emerging from the current economic crisis, focuses our attention on issues important to all Minnesotans our economy, our communities, and the way we live our lives. It s the right and compassionate thing to do. Poverty robs people of dignity. According to the U.S. Census Department s American Community Survey, over 482,000 Minnesotans were living officially below the poverty line in Helping our fellow Minnesotans achieve dignity and financial self-sufficiency is simply the right thing to do. While our goal is to end poverty by 2020, we also know that the effects of poverty are much more immediate. Only by dealing with poverty in the short term can we realistically move forward with knowledge and conviction. That means caring for those who are suffering now while planning for a better future for all Minnesotans. Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

12 Overcoming Pessimism The Minnesota Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 will fail, just as the 1986 commission failed, unless they recognize poverty s causes and intervene. Minnesota Daily, Sept. 5, 2007 The author in the quote above was referring to an earlier commission under Governor Rudy Perpich that led towards some improvements, such as the Working Family Tax Credit, but which did not end poverty in Minnesota. Ending poverty is our goal, not merely continuing to manage it. Recognizing the causes of poverty is essential for meeting that goal. In this report you will find some discussions of what the Commission believes are the causes of poverty, based on its own research and the research of top experts on the issue. You will also find recommendations for both long- and short-term strategies that address both the core causes and the immediate effects of poverty on Minnesotans today. One commission cannot intervene to make everything right. What a commission can do and what the commission has done is think deeply and broadly about where and why poverty is happening in Minnesota, what is being done about it, and whether those efforts are working or not. Key values toward a poverty-free Minnesota As we worked through these issues, three values emerged which shaped our thinking and our recommendations: People are assets to society, rather than a burden to be managed. For those who can work, employment is the best means toward self-sufficiency and self-empowerment. Communities, families, and individuals have a role in achieving self-sufficiency. It is easy to dismiss those living in poverty as expenses to be managed; and too often, programs and services serving them are driven by, and focused on, budgets. While it is critical that programs be run wisely and costeffectively, the larger goal must be to help Minnesotans toward economic self-sufficiency and self-respect as productive, tax-paying citizens. For most Minnesotans, that goal is best met through work. The state has a central role to play in ensuring a healthy economic climate and a strong educational system, but some aspects of work readiness ultimately come down to personal responsibility, a value that is best fostered in strong homes supported by strong communities. Of course, the issue of poverty in Minnesota is much larger and more complicated than the work readiness of its citizens. Minnesotans need to understand the nature of poverty in Minnesota, including where it is most concentrated and why. We must look at how poverty is defined, what that definition really means, and whether or not it requires revision. We must also examine government programs to ensure that they help solve, rather than perpetuate, the problem of poverty. 12

13 Another essential piece of the puzzle is the role government should play relative to other groups, including faith groups, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals, in ending poverty. While ending poverty must be a shared responsibility, how that responsibility is best distributed requires serious thought and an ongoing dialogue involving everyone concerned. As Minnesota moves from managing poverty to ending it, each of us will have a role to play. Our Approach All people need to work together to overcome poverty, and this work transcends both any particular political theory or party and any particular economic theory or structure. from the Commission s Guiding Principles Poverty is a multifaceted problem with multiple perspectives to understand. That s why from the beginning, we sought out diverse voices and viewpoints and resolved not to let politics as usual get in the way of frank and thoughtful discussion. The makeup of the Commission, split equally between Democrats and Republicans, helped ensure that the best ideas from both parties were on the table. An outcomes-based approach to ending poverty In our discussions, we also made a concerted effort to move beyond the traditional categories used in addressing poverty issues, because that might have limited our discussion to more narrow areas of concern. To ensure that this did not happen, we approached our task with what Stephen R. Covey would call the end in mind. The objectives we had in mind, posed as questions below, helped us begin to sort through the many issues before us: How can we help Minnesotans living in poverty meet their basic needs and become more financially self-sufficient? Once they secure a basic level of financial security, how can we help them build the assets they need to achieve a higher level of self-sufficiency? What barriers stand in the way of Minnesotans gaining financial self-sufficiency, and how can we work towards removing or easing those barriers? Of course these questions are not easy to answer. Rather than leading to quick, self-evident solutions, they tend to lead to more questions. In particular, the third question forced us to raise some uncomfortable, but essential, questions about how and why people fall into and stay trapped in poverty. A key question was whether the programs offered to help those in poverty might, in some cases, be making the situation worse. As the story below reveals, the issue isn t necessarily the quality of the services offered it s often the conditions under which such services are either offered or denied that are the real problem. Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

14 When eviction is your last, best hope On a local call-in radio show on which Commission members were invited to talk about their work, a caller explained that she and her partner were about to have their utilities shut off. When she contacted a service agency for advice, the counselor told her that if she and her partner were evicted from their apartment they would qualify for the emergency assistance. Clearly upset and near tears as she told her story, the caller explained that the $13 an hour she earned put her above the limit to qualify for emergency assistance. The problem? She was the sole wage earner and her partner was disabled. His condition required that they regularly purchase medical supplies, which made it hard to pay for other necessities. Obviously, the story here is much deeper than the issue of making too much to qualify. Had the caller stayed on the line and revealed more of her story, the audience may have heard more about her partner s disability and the employment, health care, and financial issues it raised. But other callers were waiting, so the host moved on. The Commission members were moved by the caller s dilemma. Her story, and similar stories Commission members heard during hearings and on listening tours, helped them better understand the people behind the statistics and the heartbreaking situations they face. Please see the Recommendations section of this report for ideas on addressing some of these important issues. More study is needed to truly understand poverty Despite months of hearings, tours, and meetings to discuss the issues and develop our recommendations, we were struck by how much we still don t know and Minnesotans still do not understand about poverty and how it affects both individual lives and the overall economy of the state. We also recognized that state legislators are not always well informed on how their work affects people in poverty. Still another observation was that despite the significant work service providers in all sectors have done to network with each other and share resources, much remains to be done to ensure that services are better coordinated and best practices shared. A key set of recommendations (see strategy VI, Develop an ongoing structure to monitor Minnesota s efforts to end poverty in the Recommendations section) is focused on how we can better gather and communicate information about poverty. If we intend to end poverty by 2020, it will be essential that we stay informed and vigilant as we move forward. This will require that we learn what works and what doesn t. 14

15 Hearing and reading about poverty are important ways to gather information, but powerful transformation occurs when people spend time together. from welcome letter to the Commission from the Diocese of Duluth Exploring the Issues: Conducting Research on Poverty In our exploration of poverty in Minnesota, not only did we seek out many voices and viewpoints, we also employed a broad-based approach to information gathering to ensure we looked at poverty from many different angles. Sometimes this meant consulting with experts who studied poverty; other times it meant visiting shelters to meet people living in poverty. Over the 18 months that the Commission conducted its work, our approach to gathering information included the following: Four full hearings in which the full Commission met to discuss the issues and hear testimony from advocates, social scientists, business leaders, and people living in poverty. Ten listening tours of the state, in which Commission members visited churches, food shelves, and other agencies and organizations serving the poor, and spoke to people one-on-one. In-depth research by Commission and legislative staff to gather statistics on poverty in Minnesota, interview experts, and explore best practices and alternative methods for curbing poverty. Numerous meetings, including a full-day retreat in June 2008, in which Commission members analyzed findings, consulted with experts on poverty and, ultimately, developed the recommendations in this report. These activities reinforced and informed each other. At hearings and on listening tours, we saw the faces behind the statistics we were gathering through our research. And in our meetings, we brought our own experiences, both personal and legislative, to the table. All of this combined to enrich our understanding of poverty and strengthen our determination to find solutions. Defining, measuring, and exploring poverty in Minnesota A fundamental goal of our research was to define the nature of poverty in Minnesota. This included questioning how we are defining our terms, and whether the tools we re using to measure and deal with poverty are adequate. We also asked some local experts economists and others who study poverty in Minnesota and understand its dynamics how they think the state is doing and where it s headed in the future. Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

16 In the sections that follow we provide a brief overview of some of our observations and findings, including a discussion of our work with the Urban Institute, a leading public policy think tank. But we start with some definitions, because one of the biggest problems in dealing with poverty is defining it much too narrowly. Just what does it mean to be poor? Some would argue they know poverty when they see it. Others would claim that people who are poor can tell you who they are. But this is not sufficient for effective public policy. Some specifics are necessary for clarity of program and purpose. from Rooting Out Poverty, Community Action Partnership The roots of poverty: defining our terms Ending poverty in Minnesota will not be possible until we understand it fully, and that requires examining it in all its dimensions. A key problem for Minnesota and other states is the use of the federal poverty measure to decide who is poor and who isn t. That measure is seriously flawed, a topic we address in more detail in the next section. For now, it s important to note that the federal poverty guideline, which focuses on household income, offers an extraordinarily narrow view of poverty. Poverty is not just a lack of income poverty also means not having assets, not having a decent place to live, and not having hopes and dreams for the future. The elements of economic well-being The factors below work together and reinforce one another, and can create either poverty or economic wellbeing. An inadequate income makes it hard to accumulate wealth. Lack of wealth limits where you can live. And where you live can affect your self-esteem and how you view your prospects. Income. Income is what you earn through salary and wages after taxes. It can also include non-cash items such as food stamps and housing assistance. We use our income to get by on a day-to-day basis. Wealth. Wealth represents assets such as homes, bank accounts, credit lines, and educational credentials. It also includes social assets such as professional associations and personal networks. We use our wealth to get ahead. Place. Place is where you live and how that affects your prospects. Place is of interest to sociologists and other experts because it can predict and explain factors of poverty that go beyond income and wealth. Beliefs, attitudes and values. These are the psychological, social, and cultural factors that can affect whether or not you live in poverty. These can be positive or negative and can come from within or be present in the larger society. Minnesota s distressed neighborhoods, those characterized by limited economic opportunity, failing schools, and higher-than-average crime levels, are an example of these dynamics at play. And as we ll see later in this report, despite gains that have been made, racial and ethnic minorities and women continue to fall behind economically due to a number of complex factors. 16

17 While this methodology for calculating a poverty line was fine in 1963, and was based on the best data available, it is seriously flawed in There is no other economic statistic in use today that relies on 1955 data and methods developed in the early 1960s. Economist Rebecca Blank, presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee, July 17, How we measure poverty in Minnesota In Minnesota, as in all other states, poverty is calculated using the official federal poverty level, published by the U.S. Census Bureau, which determines poverty rates based on annual household cash income. As we ve seen, income is only one aspect of poverty, so focusing on income tends to mask other aspects of poverty. But even as a measure of what s adequate in terms of income, the federal poverty measure is flawed. The table below shows three ways of measuring poverty: the federal poverty measure; the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) measure; and the relative measure, which is used in European countries. Both the federal poverty measure and the NAS measure are considered absolute, in that they refer to a specific amount, or line, above or below which income falls. The relative poverty measure considers income relative to what the majority of households are making. It is stated as a percentage (e.g., 50%).* For each measure, the poverty threshold is given, along with an explanation of how non-cash income; out-ofpocket medical expenses; work expenses, and taxes are treated. Notice that the NAS measure considers these as resources and expenses, while the federal poverty measure does not. Item measured Federal Poverty Measure NAS Poverty Measure Relative Measure at 50% of Median Poverty threshold (minimum level of income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living) Updated yearly but based on outdated assumptions about consumption Based on current consumption needs Based on median family income Non-cash income (e.g., food stamps, etc.) Not considered as part of resources available Cash-like benefits included as income Not considered Out-of-pocket medical expenses Not considered as an expense Deducted from income as an expense Not considered Work expenses (e.g., childcare) Not considered as an expense Deducted from income as an expense Not considered Taxes Not considered as an expense Deducted from income as an expense Not considered Federal, NAS and Relative Poverty Measures * Note that the relative measure is shown here for informational purposes only. Since the U.S. tends to look at poverty from a subsistence standpoint and the relative measure looks at poverty from an equity standpoint, the differences between the two are too great to consider adopting the relative measure in the U.S. at the present time. Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

18 Weaknesses of the federal poverty measure As the table above illustrates, the federal poverty guideline has a number of shortcomings that make it an inadequate measure both of poverty and of the effectiveness of antipoverty programs: It is based on an outdated food consumption survey developed in 1963, when food represented approximately one-third of the typical family s budget. Food now represents only about one-sixth to one-seventh of a typical budget. The measure does not account for work expenses such as child care, transportation and taxes, resulting in an unrealistic estimate of what a typical family needs to survive day-to-day. The measure does not include non-cash income such as food stamps, so it fails to provide useful data on the impact of government assistance to the poor. This makes programs difficult to evaluate adequately. Criticism of the measure has grown in recent years. Rep. James McDermott (D-Wash.) and Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.) have both introduced bills calling for its revision. The U.S. Conference of Mayors and poverty experts throughout the U.S. have also called attention to the measure s shortcomings and proposed the adoption of a more comprehensive measure, such as the one introduced by NAS in Advantages of the NAS measure The NAS measure has two key advantages over the federal poverty measure. First, by taking more factors into account, it can help determine more accurately what resources individuals and families have available. Second, because it considers sources available through government programs, it helps determine whether those programs have a measurable impact. It considers out-of-pocket medical expenses, work expenses (such as childcare), and taxes, so it provides a much more realistic picture of what income is actually left over for other uses. It considers cash-like sources such as food stamps, so provides information about the impact of government programs not available when using the federal poverty measure, which doesn t count these sources. In addition, NAS is based on Census Bureau data, just as the federal poverty guideline is, so it can be used for comparison purposes (comparing with previous years or with other states). As a commission charged with making recommendations to end poverty in our state, we want a poverty measure that will provide a realistic picture of which Minnesotans are in need and what it costs to live in our state, including differences between rural and urban areas. We also want a measure that will yield better information about how well our antipoverty programs are working. That s why we are recommending the use of the NAS measure in Minnesota. Please see strategy VI, Develop an ongoing structure to monitor Minnesota s efforts to end poverty, in the Recommendations section for specifics on this recommendation. 18

19 The NAS measure is not perfect, however. As currently used, it does not include those who are homeless or in some institutions, and when looking from a statewide perspective, it can hide areas of concentrated poverty. But used in conjunction with other measures such as poverty by race, high school graduation rates, and teen pregnancy rates, the measure will help state leaders obtain a more accurate and holistic picture of poverty in Minnesota. In addition, we believe that Minnesota should continue to study how poverty is measured outside of the United States, such as relative measures used by European countries. Because such measures highlight income disparities and quality of life issues, rather than just subsistence, studying them may very well yield important insights into how our public policy decisions impact financial equity as well as poverty. Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by

20 Working with the Urban Institute The Urban Institute gathers data, conducts research, evaluates programs, offers technical assistance overseas, and educates Americans on social and economic issues to foster sound public policy and effective government. Urban Institute Mission Statement A crucial element of our research has been working with the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan economic and social policy think tank located in Washington, D.C. The Institute uses state-of-the-art methods and technology to analyze policies and programs. It works with the federal government, state and local governments, and other organizations and agencies to help them save time and money by identifying the most effective programs to implement. The Commission was interested in working with the Institute on two key pieces of analysis: (1) estimating the poverty rate in Minnesota using the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) poverty definition; and (2) running simulations to determine the effects of various policies on poverty in Minnesota. NAS poverty definition The Urban Institute s first step in the process was to estimate the poverty rate in Minnesota using the NAS definition. Minnesota currently measures poverty levels using the federal poverty measure, which, as mentioned earlier, is inadequate in two fundamental ways. First, it is based on outdated assumptions of what families need to consume to meet their basics needs. Second, the measure does not adequately measure resources families have available. The NAS definition is widely considered more comprehensive in measuring both of these areas. (For more on how the NAS definition compares to the federal poverty measure, please see page 17.) When the NAS poverty definition was applied, Minnesota had a higher poverty rate than measured under the federal poverty guideline. This provided a baseline on which to measure the effects of a number of policies the Commission designated for simulation. Because the NAS measure also includes cash-like benefits such as food stamps, which the federal poverty measure does not, using the NAS measure also sheds light on program outcomes. Policy simulation using multiple programs Policies chosen for simulation were based on based on legislative proposals and best practices identified by national experts, as well as the experiences of both the Urban Institute and the Commission. A number of simulations were run, including various levels of minimum wage increases, different Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) policies, food program participation rates, and other policies. Testing revealed that the following five policies, if implemented, would have the most far-reaching and cost-effective economic impact. A $9.50 per hour minimum wage

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